In my 41 years as a professor on this campus (I retired in August, 2012), I expected only one thing of the upper administration, namely, that they play by the same rules that govern all employee groups on the campus. However, as I first witnessed many years ago, the Board sets its own rules. When the Board chose to cancel an open search for President in 1996 and to appoint Gary Russi as President, over the objections of myself and many other faculty, I was deeply disappointed in their imperious flouting of the stated rules of diversity, affirmative action and faculty input. In my opinion, Mr. Russi never gained full respect from those of us who were disappointed with the flawed (illegal?) process. And now, we see the same sort of deceit being carried out by President Hynd and the Board in the direct appointment of a Chief Operating Officer. This appointment was, as in the appointment of Mr. Russi, made in the absence of an open search, without faculty input and without adhering to the rules of affirmative action and equal opportunity. Yet, search committees at all other levels of the university (e.g., faculty, clerical/technical, police, trades, etc.) must adhere to these rules when hiring new, full-time people. I suggest that the appointment of the Chief Operating Officer be rescinded, and an open search be conducted. This is not only the fair and correct action to take, but it also would help to restore respect for President Hynd and the Board.